That Thing Between Eli and Gwen

That Thing Between Eli and Gwen was quite funny and entertaining. I very much enjoyed the witty banter between the two. It began the moment they saw each other again after Eli's wedding disaster and continued throughout the book. They were the definition of "opposites attract." Their love story was not the typical love story, but it was definitely sweet. There were periods in the book where I felt that not much was happening but the story remained enjoyable. I would really like to know more about Eli's brother, as well as Gwen's friends in Cypress. I hope the author will write stories for those secondary characters.

Leave it to J.J. McAvoy to make this NetGalley reviewer completely tongue-tied and at a loss for words to adequately describe how much I enjoyed this great romantic tale. Simply put, it had all my favorite elements of a great love story: engaging plot, sizzling couple chemistry, angst, writing that flowed, witty banter, likeable characters who deserve a HEA, humor, and a great cast of believable sub-characters. I loved Gwen’s posse of friends and family back home in Alaska, especially her gruff, but loving alpha protective father. He definitely wasn’t going to make things easy for Eli, folks. Nope, not one little bit.

Eli…Eli…You may be a handsome, intelligent doctor with impeccable bedside manners, but, in the very beginning, you sure were lacking in the sensitivity/compassionate department when it came to your Gwen-side manners. Thank goodness it was obvious your rudeness/off the cuff, didn’t think before you spoke cutting remarks were just a coping mechanism for getting over being jilted at the altar by a woman you mistakenly thought was “the one”. Thankfully, your unfair, guilt by association treatment of Gwen was relatively short lived. It certainly didn’t take long for Gwen to work some healing magic of her own on your wounded, bleeding heart. She eventually helped you realize the all to close, painful brush with matrimony was better off left in the past, so you could move on with your future.

Gwen, thanks for being so strong, witty, resilient, and determined to pick yourself up and put your own heart/life back together. Your strength and perseverance at times was enough for both you two destined, future lovebirds. Though just as broken as Eli, if not more so, you definitely tried to hold it all together and choose not to be a victim. Maybe it’s because you are an artist and used to creating inspiration with nothing before you but a blank canvas. I loved your “kill them with kindess/never let them see you sweat” approach instead of hateful, won’t get you anywhere revenge. Well, to be completely honest, there may have been a relapse a time or two. Giving Eli a heads up on where the runaway bride and your stolen fiancée were likely headed was certainly understandable. Along with your brief message telling Eli what to do when he found them. But, for the most part, you did keep Eli and yourself on the high road of respectability instead of wallowing in the gutter of useless self-pity and despair.

So, in summary, my fellow romance book-loving friends, TTBE&G, lived up to my high expectations as one of my most anticipated 2016 romantic reads. What’s next? Well, I think that should be bloody well obvious. A Bloody Kingdom, of course, also by Ms. McAvoy, which is book #4 of her Ruthless People series. I’m now counting the days until it’s released. If you enjoy a gripping, gritty mafia romance series, you definitely should read the entire series, as well.

Title: That Thing Between Eli and Gwen, Author: J.J. McAvoy, Pages: 299, stand-alone, HEA, enemies to lovers, witty banter, sassy heroine, steamy scenes, resentful/angry hero who learns a lesson in love he’ll never forget, no love triangle.

(This review is based on ARC generously provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was paid to the reviewer nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher.)

really good read.